Can Your Gums Grow Over Your Braces?
Posted on November 21, 2017 in Dental Health
The road to straighter teeth requires special care, as braces can change your oral hygiene routine. You may notice changes in your mouth, and you may wonder if gums growing over braces is possible. Here’s what’s really happening:
Improper brushing and flossing with braces can lead to swollen gums. Why? Built-up food and bacteria can cause irritation. The swelling in your gums can trap more food and make it even harder to brush and floss properly. And more bacteria in your mouth equals more swelling. So though swollen gums may look like gums growing over braces, they’re really not.
It’s important to follow your orthodontist’s recommended cleaning methods to ensure a properly cleaned mouth. Special floss and brushes made for braces can help clear the debris around the brackets, in-between and hard-to-reach areas. This can reduce swelling and help prevent further swelling in the future.
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